System and Method for Pitch Detection and Analysis

Abstract

Systems and methods are shown for pitch detection involving a first linear array with multiple detection devices for detecting an object mounted on a base for positioning near the front of home plate, adjacent the front edge of the home plate. Some examples include an indicator on each detector to indicate detection. In some examples, the detectors communicate detection to an analysis system. In some examples, the analysis system determines and displays a pitch result from the position of the detect object. In other examples, a second is positioned at a known distance from the plate and communicates a detection position to the analysis system, which determines pitch speed and result from the two positions. In another example, three arrays are used to determine a curved pitch path. Another example has an array positioned near the back of the plate for determining pitch result, path and speed.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A pitch detection system for use in detecting strikes, the system comprising a first linear array, the array having:
 a base member having a linear length that is at least the length of a front edge of a home plate for positioning adjacent the front edge of the home plate; and   multiple detection devices, each detection device coupled to the base member along the linear length of the base member and including a emitter for producing a detection beam and a detector for receiving reflected energy of the detection beam to detect an object.   
     
     
         2 . The pitch detection system of  claim 1 , where each detection device further includes an indicator for indicating that the detector has detected an object. 
     
     
         3 . The pitch detection system of  claim 1 , where the detection devices of the first array further include a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the system further includes an analysis system configured to communicate with the detection devices. 
     
     
         4 . The pitch detection system of  claim 3 , where the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine a pitch result from the position of the detected object; and   display the pitch result.   
     
     
         5 . The pitch detection system of  claim 3 , where:
 the system further includes a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned at a known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position and detection time to the analysis system;   the first array of detection devices is further configured to communicate detection time to the analysis system; and   the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine a pitch speed from the detection time at the first array, the detection time at the second array, and the known distance from home plate of the second array and display the pitch speed. 
   
     
     
         6 . The pitch detection system of  claim 3 , where:
 the system further includes a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned at a known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position to the analysis system; and   the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine a pitch path from the detection position at the first array and the detection position at the second array, 
 determine an intersection of the pitch path with a strike zone volume of the home plate in order to obtain a pitch result, and 
 display the pitch result and the pitch path. 
   
     
     
         7 . The pitch detection system of  claim 6 , where:
 the system further includes a third array of detection devices configured to be positioned at another known distance from home plate and detect an object and communicate the detection position to the analysis system; and   the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine the pitch path from the detection positions at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a two dimensional curved pitch path, and 
 determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the two dimensional curved pitch path. 
   
     
     
         8 . The pitch detection system of  claim 6 , where:
 the detection devices of the first and second arrays are further configured to detect and communicate a detection height;   the system further includes a third array of detection devices configured to detect an object and communicate detection position and detection height to the analysis system and the third array is configured to be positioned at another known distance from home plate; and   the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine the pitch path from the detection positions and heights at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and 
 determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path. 
   
     
     
         9 . The pitch detection system of  claim 6 , where:
 the detection devices of the first and second arrays are further configured to detect and communicate a detection height and a detection vertical speed; and   the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine the pitch path from the detection positions, heights and vertical speeds at the first and second arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and 
 determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path. 
   
     
     
         10 . The pitch detection system of  claim 3 , where:
 the detection devices of the first array are further configured to detect and communicate detection height and detection vertical speed; and   the analysis system is further configured to:
 determine sinking speed of the pitch from the detection vertical speed; 
 determine a pitch vector from the sinking speed, detected position and detect height, and 
 determine the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the pitch vector. 
   
     
     
         11 . The pitch detection system of  claim 1 , where the base member is a portion of the home plate and the multiple detection devices are embedded in the home plate along the front edge of the home plate. 
     
     
         12 . The pitch detection system of  claim 1 , where the system further includes a second array of detection devices configured to be positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the home plate. 
     
     
         13 . The pitch detection system of  claim 12 , where the detection devices of the first and second arrays further include a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the system further includes an analysis system configured to communicate with the detection devices and determine a pitch result from the position of the detected object. 
     
     
         14 . The pitch detection system of  claim 13 , where the base member is a portion of the home plate and the multiple detection devices of the first array are embedded in the home plate along the front edge of the home plate and the multiple detection devices of the second array are embedded in the home plate along the rear edge of the home plate. 
     
     
         15 . A method for pitch detection for use in detecting strikes, the method comprising:
 providing a first linear array having a base member having a linear length that is at least the length of a front edge of a home plate and including multiple detection devices, each detection device coupled to the base member along the linear length of the base member and including a emitter for producing a detection beam and a detector for receiving reflected energy of the detection beam to detect an object; and   positioning the first linear array adjacent the front edge of a home plate.   
     
     
         16 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 15 , where each detection device further includes an indicator for indicating that the detector has detected an object. 
     
     
         17 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 15 , where the detection devices of the first array further include a communication interface to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object and the method further includes providing an analysis system for communicating with the detection devices. 
     
     
         18 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 17 , where the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining a pitch result from the position of the detected object; and   displaying the pitch result.   
     
     
         19 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 17 , where the method includes:
 providing a second array of detection devices positioned at a known distance from home plate, detecting an object at the second array and communicating the detection position and detection time to the analysis system;   the first array of detection devices is further configured to communicate detection time to the analysis system; and   where the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining a pitch speed from the detection time at the first array, the detection time at the second array, and the known distance from home plate of the second array and displaying the pitch speed. 
   
     
     
         20 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 17 , where the method further includes:
 providing a second array of detection devices positioned at a known distance from home plate, detecting an object at the second array and communicating the detection position to the analysis system; and   the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining a pitch path from the detection position at the first array and the detection position at the second array, 
 determining an intersection of the pitch path with a strike zone volume of the home plate in order to obtain a pitch result, and 
 displaying the pitch result and the pitch path. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 20 , where the method further includes:
 providing a third array of detection devices positioned at another known distance from home plate, detecting an object at the third array and communicating the detection position to the analysis system; and   the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining the pitch path from the detection positions at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a two dimensional curved pitch path, and 
 determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the two dimensional curved pitch path. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 20 , where the method further includes:
 configuring the detection devices of the first and second arrays to detect and communicate a detection height;   the system further providing a third array of detection devices positioned at another known distance from home plate for detecting an object and communicating detection position and detection height to the analysis system; and   the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining the pitch path from the detection positions and heights at the first, second and third arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and 
 determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path. 
   
     
     
         23 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 20 , where:
 configuring the detection devices of the first and second arrays to detect and communicate a detection height and a detection vertical speed; and   the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining the pitch path from the detection positions, heights and vertical speeds at the first and second arrays to obtain a three dimensional curved pitch path, and 
 determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the three dimensional pitch path. 
   
     
     
         24 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 20 , where:
 configuring the detection devices of the first array to detect and communicate detection height and detection vertical speed; and   the analysis system is further configured to perform the steps of:
 determining sinking speed of the pitch from the detection vertical speed; 
 determining a pitch vector from the sinking speed, detected position and detect height, and 
 determining the intersection of the pitch path with the strike zone volume of the home plate utilizing the pitch vector. 
   
     
     
         25 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 17 , the method further including embedding the multiple detection devices along the front edge of a home plate. 
     
     
         26 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 17 , the method further including providing a second array of detection devices positioned adjacent to a rear edge of the home plate. 
     
     
         27 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 26 , the method further including:
 configuring the detection devices of the first and second arrays to communicate that the detector has detected an object and a position of the object; and   providing an analysis system for communicating with the detection devices and determining a pitch result from the position of the detected object.   
     
     
         28 . The method for pitch detection of  claim 27 , the method further including embedding the multiple detection devices of the first array along the front edge of a home plate and embedding the multiple detection devices of the second array along the rear edge of the home plate. 
     
     
         27 . A pitch detection apparatus for detecting strikes, the apparatus comprising:
 means for detecting a first position of an object when the object passes a front edge of a home plate; and   means for determining whether the object has intersected a strike zone volume above the home plate.   
     
     
         28 . The pitch detection apparatus of  claim 27 , the apparatus further comprising:
 means for detecting a second position of an object when thrown towards the home plate; and   the means for determining whether the object has intersected a strike zone volume above the home plate utilizes the second position and includes means for determining pitch speed and pitch path.   
     
     
         29 . The pitch detection apparatus of  claim 28 , the apparatus further comprising:
 means for detecting a third position of an object when thrown towards the home plate; and   the means for determining pitch speed and pitch path is further configured to utilize the third position for determining pitch path.   
     
     
         30 . The pitch detection apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein:
 the means for detecting a first position of an object and the means for detecting a second position of an object are each further configured to determine a height of the object when detected; and   the means for determining pitch speed and pitch path is further configured to utilize the height at the first position and the height at the second position in determining pitch path.